Sea animation apparatus including eccentrically moving seats and scene projections

ABSTRACT

A rocking and rotating amusement device having a plurality of platforms rotatable about a central axis, each of which is in the form of a segment of a disk. The platforms are flexibly linked to each other so that each segment can bend relative to adjacent segments along radial lines. Each of the platforms has a seat thereon, and means is connected to the platforms to drive them about the central axis. An undulating guide rail supports the peripheral edges of the platforms, and a circular screen is arranged around the platforms. A plurality of projectors is provided which projects pictures on the screen, and loudspeakers are provided for producing sounds appropriate to the projected scenes.

United States Patent" Masayoshi Kojima lnventor Toyonaka-shi, Japan Appl. No. 876,433 Filed Nov. 13, 1969 Patented Aug. 3 1, 197! Assignee Sansei Yusoki Co., Ltd.

Osaka Prefecture, Japan Priority May 31, 1969 Japan 44/5 I 016 SEA ANIMATION APPARATUS INCLUDING I ECCENTRICALLY MOVING SEATS AND SCENE PROJECTIONS 3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 273/18, 272/44, 272/48 Int. Cl A63g 31/16 Field of Search 272/ l6, l7,

[56] References Cited 7 uumzo STATES PATENTS 1,050,430 1/1913 Crosby 272/37 1,371,528. 3/1921 Kannel 272/37 9 FOREIGN PATENTS 307,468 8/,l9l8 Austria 272/16 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Marvin Siskind Anarneywenderoth, Lind & Ponack and a circular screen is arranged around the platforms. A plurality of projectors is provided which projects pictures on the screen, and loudspeakers are provided for producing sounds appropriate to the projected scenes.

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saw u or s PATENTED M1831 l97| 3 502' 499 sum 5 0F 5 SEA ANIMATION APPARATUS INCLUDING ECCENTRICALLY MOVING SEATS AND SCENE PROJECTIONS This invention relates to an amusement equipment, wherein seats are provided on rotary platforms which perform rock-ing rotation, with a variety of scenes being projected on a circular screen encircling the rotary platforms so that the persons sitting in the seats will be given a vivid impression as if they were drifting on the sea or the like.

The conventional types of rotary amusement equipment have been found to be insufficiently amusing since the movement thereof have been generally limited to a simple revolution. An object of the amusement equipment of this invention is to afford much greater amusement to the audience sitting in the seats than was ever heretofore obtainable from the conventional amusement equipment. This is achieved by means of providing rotary platforms performingin rocking rotation and seats which freely rotate on an eccentric axis provided on the "respective rotary platforms, so that the seats will rotate together with the rocking rotation of the rotary platforms, and moreover by means of providing a circular screen generally enveloping the rotary platform, a picturesque scene of open sea or the like is projected thereon by a plurality of projectors. As an example, an actual feeling of drifting on the sea can be imparted to those who are sitting in the seats.

The foregoing object of the invention is attainable by the combination and operation of various parts and equipment constituting the structure of the invention, the particulars of which will be set forth hereinunder in reference to the drawing annexed hereto, of which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view with some parts shown in elevation of the equipment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional and partial plan view of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal partial cross-sectional and partial elevational view of the rotary;

FIG. 4 is a development of the undulating rail which guides the peripheral parts of the rotary platforms of the equipment ofthe invention;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the driving mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a plan of the aforementioned driving mechanism, and showing a fragmentary portion ofa few of the platforms;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the film-detecting device of the projector employed in the equipment ofthe invention;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a part ofthe aforementioned detector.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 the numeral 11 indicates a building having a polygonal ground plan in which the equipment of the invention is to be installed. The numeral 12 designates internal walls appropriately and concentrically spaced on the inside of the peripheral walls of the building 11, said internal walls 12 being formed polygonally so as to be in parallel with the external walls of the building 11.

Within the aforesaid internal walls there is concentrically provided a circular screen 13, a supporting base 14 fixed to the center of the floor 27 of the circular room surrounded by the screen 13, a vertical shaft 15 fixed to the center of the said base 14, and an annular member 16 revolvably fitted to the said vertical shaft 15 as shown in FIG. 3. To a plurality of protruding pieces 17 (FIG. 3) erected on the outside of the annular member 16 there are pivoted thereto the respective basal parts of the rotary platforms by means of axes 19 so as to allow the rotary platforms 18 to swing up and down.

The foregoing rotary platforms 18 are generally in the shape of pie segments of a disk divided by partitive lines running radially, and the adjoining parts of the respective rotary platforms are bendably linked together on the radial partitive lines by hinges 20, with the collective platforms 18 constituting a disk as a whole.

Furthermore, alternate platforms 18 are pivoted to the annular member by means ofa pin axis 19 with the intermediate alternate platforms 18 which are unpivoted being arranged hingedly interconnected as illustrated in FIG. 2.

A seat 21 is fixed to the upper part of each rotary platform 18 which is pivoted to the annular member 16, each seat being provided arinularly on a circular baseboard 22, and a part of the seat being open as a gateway 23. g

The lower part of the baseboard 22 is revolvably pivoted around an axis 24 on the rotary platform 18 at a slightly deflected or offset position from the center of the baseboard 22.

A circular rail.25 centering on the axis 24 is provided, and a wheel which rolls on said rail 25 is fixed to the lower part of the baseboard 22. I

A circular supporting frame 28 is provided on the peripheral rim of the floor 27, with said supporting frame 28 consisting of alternately higher and lower parts, and an undulating circular rail 30 on which a wheel 29 is provided on the lower side near the outer radial end of each rotary platform 18 is fixed onto the foregoing supporting frame. The said rail 30 undulates at every as illustrated in FIG. 4, which shows the state of development thereof.

A hook 31 facing outwards is provided on the lower surface of the outside rim of each rotary platform 18, an endless driving rope 32 (FIG. 6) being applied to each hook 31 so asto drive each rotary platform 18 centering on the vertical shaft 15.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the foregoing rope 32 is passed through a pair of pulleys 33, 34, which are driven by a motor 35.

The foregoing pulleys 33, 34 are so arranged as will be in parallel withthe incline of the rail 30 against the frame 36 which is so provided as will be located on the outside of the intermediate part between the high and the low parts of the rail 30 as illustrated in FIG. 5.

The pulley 33 is fixed to the output shaft on a reduction gear 37 provided on the frame 36, a driving belt 40 being applied to a pulley 38 fixed to the input shaft of the reduction gear 37 and the shaft of the motor 35, thereby transmitting the motive power ofthe motor 35 to the pulley 33.

Furthermore, an exemplary ornament 42 in the shape of a lighthouse or the like is provided on the base 41 on the foregoing shaft 15 as shown in FIG. 1.

At the lower part inside the screen 13 there is provided a corridor 53 running along the external periphery of the disk comprising the plurality'of rotary platforms 18, said corridor being so arranged that the audience can traverse it to reach the seats 21 on the rotary platforms 18 heading from the said corridor 53, gateways 43 with suitable doors are provided in the screen 13. 1

Above the part formed between the internal walls 12 and the external walls of the building, an elevated floor 44 is provided as shown in FIG. 1, and a circular chamber 45 being formed thereby in which a plurality of projectors 46 are arranged at predetermined fixed spacings. A projecting window 47 is provided on the internal wall for each projector 46.

An image from each projector 46 is projected on the opposite screen through the said window 47. Although a blank portion is left between each adjoining picture projected on the screen 13, it is so arranged that said blank portion filled with some appropriate decoration applied thereupon the screen 13. The aforementioned gateway may be provided on this blank portion. Furthermore, a gateway 48 is provided on the internal wall beneath the foregoing floor 44, as well as at 49 on the external wall of the building 11, and a stairway 50 is provided on the outside thereof.

A plurality of loudspeakers 51 are arranged at appropriate parts on the screen and the ceiling 52 of the building 11, so as to produce stereophonic sounds.

Furthermore, a floor 54 is provided on the upper part between. the screen 13 and the internal walls 12, to support aurora machines 55 which when directed on the ceiling 52 project colored illuminations, such as an aurora effect and the like. Other special effect machines 56, which project upon the ceiling 52 illuminations flickering like lightning, are also provided on the said floor 54, and a gateway 57 with a door is provided at the upper part of the internal wall for communication between the chamber 45 and the floor 54. Though not shown in the drawing, a staircase and an entrance are provided on the outside of the building 11 so as to enable the persons in charge to enter the chamber 45 directly from the outside.

In the foregoing-described equipment, after the audience have taken the seats 21 during the intermission when the motor 35 and the rotary platforms 18 are at a standstill. the motor 35 is started and each rotary platform 18 is revolved centering on the shaft 15 by means of the pulleys 32 through the medium of the endless rope 32. Then, the rotary platforms 18 start rotation while vertically swinging along the rail 30.

Since each rotary platform 18 is linked together by means of hinges 20, the surface of each rotary platform 18 rocks as if it were on a big wave, the seat 21 thereon swinging simultaneously. Moreover, since the baseboard 22 under the seat 21 is pivoted eccentrically on the rotary platform 18 by means of an axis 24, the seat 21 rotates on its axis 24 accordingly as the rotary platform 18 swings.

Simultaneously with the start of the rotation of each rotary platform 18, all the projectors 46 begin to project on the surrounding screen a stormy seascape, together with stereophonic sounds of rough waves being reproduced from each loudspeaker 51. At the same time, flickering lightning is projected on the ceiling 52 by the effect machines 56.

The audience sitting in the seats 21 are given an impression as if they were drifting in a lifeboat on a rough sea as a result of the combined effect of the rocking rotation, and the noisy sounds and illusory images around them. Accordingly, the audience experiences a very realistic experience of drifting on the sea.

After the rotation of the rotary platforms l8 slows down, the seascape and the roaring sounds also calm gradually, with the aurora being projected on the ceiling by the aurora machines 55. Then the projection on the various screens stops, and the rotary platforms come to a standstill, enabling the audience to be replaced for the next performance.

The foregoing is of course only one instance among many; for example, the effect of fine weather may be reproduced at the beginning and the end of the projection or in the midst thereof, the time of the projection of aurora being appropriately changeable according to the situation. The control of the foregoing projectors 46 and the machines 55, 56 is effected either by the manual operation of the switches or by the automatic operation.

An instance of the automatic operation is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in which the numeral 58 designates an endless film applied to one of the many projectors 46, the said film 58 being provided with a blank part having no images thereon, metal foil pieces 59, 60 being fixed to where the blank part terminates, i.e,, the starting point of the projection, and to where the blank part starts, i.e., the terminating point of the projection, respectively.

The numerals 61, 62 designate guide rollers, the film 58 being constantly driven in the direction indicated by arrow. The numeral 63 designates a detector which is so fixed to the projector as to be slidably in contact with the film 58. Electric contact points 64, 65 consisting of metallic tubes are provided on the surface of the cylindrical part of the detector, with an electric insulating part 66 being provided between the contact points 64, 65, and being so arranged that the said two points 64, 65 which are electrically isolated from each other are connected only when one of the foil pieces 59, 60 comes in contact with the insulating part 66. Part of the said insulating part 66 is bent for the purpose of ensuring the connection of the contact points 64, 65 by the foil pieces 59, 60.

The endless films in the other projectors are of the identical length with the film 58, being provided with a blank part of the identical length, the operation of all the projectors being carefully synchronized so that the start and the end of the projection as well as the duration of the blank part will be perfectly identical.

The circuit is so arranged that the motor will be started by a relay which is turned into the self-starting state activated by the current flowing the instant the contact points 64, 65 are connected by the foil piece 59 on the film 58, and will be stopped by a relay which is activated by the current flowing the instant the contact points 64, 65 are connected together by the foil piece on the film 58.

The controlling circuit is so arranged that the motor 35 will revolve slowly at the time of activation, the revolution being accelerated gradually and then retarded gradually after a continuous operation at a fixed speed, the motor being stopped when the contact points 64, are connected together by the foil piece 60.

Furthermore, the aurora machines 55 and the other special effect machines 56 are operated by an automatic controlling equipment which is activated simultaneously with the start of the motor 35.

In the case of the foregoing automatic control, when the blank part of the film 58 passes through the detector 63, nothing is projected on the screen 13, with the motor 35 and the rotary platforms 18 being at a standstill, and therefore the shift of audience is effected taking advantage of this intermission.

When the foil piece 59 connects the contact points 64, 65 provided adjacent the end of the blank part, the motor 35 starts, the rotary platforms l8 begin to rotate gradually, a calm seascape is projected on the screen 13, and the sounds of waves or the like are broadcast from the loudspeakers. Accordingly as the speed of the rotary platforms increases, the scene projected on the screen 13 gradually changes into a rough seascape with a rainstorm raging with violence, and with lightning being appropriately projected by the automatically controlled effect machines at the same time.

Subsequently, when the foil piece 60 fixed to the film 58 approaches the detector 63, the revolving. speed of the rotary platforms decreases, the rainstorm effect reproduced on the screen 13 gradually subsides, as does the aurora being projected on the ceiling 52 by the aurora machines 55. Then, when the foil piece 60 connects the contact points 64, 65, the motor 35 stops and the rotary platforms comes to a standstill as a result. Although the film 58 continues running even after the rotary platforms stop, the shift of audience is effected before the foil piece 60 comes in contact with the contact points In either case of the foregoing automatic control of the manual control, it is so arranged that during the stoppage of the rotary platforms the lights as suitably provided in the center or the like of the lower part of the ceiling 52, are switched on so that the audience can get on or off the rotary platforms in safety.

As described heretofore, in case of the automatic control, a blank part is provided on the endless film of each projector which is in constant operation with the shift of audience being effected during the passage of the said blank part through the projector. The start and the stoppage of the rotary platforms are operated by the aforedescribed foil pieces provided on the endless film, and therefore the control of the rotary platforms can be conducted with ease and precision.

What I claim is:

1. Rocking rotary amusement equipment comprising in combination:

a. a plurality of rotary platforms and means for connecting at least certain of said platforms for rotation about a common axis; each of said platforms constituting a segment of a disk divided along radial lines extending to the outer peripheral edge of the platforms;

c. said platforms being flexibly linked together along the radial dividing lines so that each segment can freely move relative to the adjacent segment;

d. a plurality of seats provided on said disc-arranged platforms;

e. driving equipment means operably connected with and to operate said rotary platforms in a rotary manner about said axis;

f. an undulating annular guide rail which supports the lower parts of the generally outer peripheral edges of said rotary platforms and rocks said platforms during revolution:

ing means mounting each said seat on a platform whereby the seats will rotate eccentrically as the platforms traverse said undulating guide rail.

3. The rocking rotary amusement device of claim 1 wherein:

a. endless film is provided for use with said projectors;

b. said endless film including at least one blank part defining generally image-free starting and ending points of projection; and

0. means for effecting the stopping of the rotary platforms for an intermission period while said blank part is passing through said projectors, thereby enabling the audience to take or leave the seats on said rotary platforms during the intermission. 

1. Rocking rotary amusement equipment comprising in combination: a. a plurality of rotary platforms and means for connecting at least certain of said platforms for rotation about a common axis; b. each of said platforms constituting a segment of a disk divided along radial lines extending to the outer peripheral edge of the platforms; c. said platforms being flexibly linked together along the radial dividing lines so that each segment can freely move relative to the adjacent segment; d. a plurality of seats provided on said disc-arranged platforms; e. driving equipment means operably connected with and to operate said rotary platforms in a rotary manner about said axis; f. an undulating annular guide rail which supports the lower parts of the generally outer peripheral edges of said rotary platforms and rocks said platforms during revolution thereof; g. screen means including a circular screen portion arranged as to generally encircle the rotary platforms; h. projection means including a plurality of projectors and means to project visual scenes on said screen; i. loudspeaker means to produce audio sounds generally correlated to the visual scenes projected on the screen; and j. further special effect-producing means which project additional visual illuminations on the screen means.
 2. The rocking rotary amusement device of claim 1 including means mounting each said seat on a platform whereby the seats will rotate eccentrically as the platforms traverse said undulating guide rail.
 3. The rocking rotary amusement device of claim 1 wherein: a. endless film is provided for use with said projectors; b. said endless film including at least one blank part defining generally image-free starting and ending points of projection; and c. means for effecting the stopping of the rotary platforms for an intermission period while said blank part is passing through said projectors, thereby enabling the audience to take or leave the seats on said rotary platforms during the intermission. 